Fisker Says Consumer Report's Karma Shut Down to Protect Itself

You most likely remember the much talked about incident with Consumer Report's Fisker Karma sedan that broke down only a few days after the magazine purchased a brand new example from a dealer for $107,850 (€82,500) during routine speedometer calibration runs on the company's test track.

Now, Fisker is trying to counter the bad publicity through a letter sent to customers by its newly appointed CEO and former executive at General Motors and Chrysler, Tom LaSorda.

Fisker's CEO stated in the letter that the Karma shut down during the drive to protect itself from further damage.

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Fisker Whistleblower Claims Karma was Rushed into the Market to Meet DOE Loan Deadlines

It's a time-honored adage: "there's no such thing as bad publicity". However, Henrik Fisker may beg to differ as his company's Karma sedan has been making the headlines for a variety of problems ever since its delayed launch.

Now, a former Fisker employee claims to know the root of the company's issues with the Karma. The unnamed whistleblower told GiGaom that as the project was behind schedule, Fisker decided to roll out the hybrid before it was actually ready in order to meet the deadlines dictated by the Department of Energy-provided US$529 million loan.

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Lights Out: Fisker Karma Breaks Down During Consumer Reports Testing [Video]

Having an A-list of celebrities like Leonardo Di Caprio, Al Gore and Justin Bieber as your clients is good for promoting your brand-new hybrid luxury sedan.

On the downside, receiving an EPA consumption rating far-far away from your own figures, issuing a recall over a potential fire risk just a couple of months after deliveries started and having your US$529 million federal loan blocked are quite serious setbacks.

Now Fisker has to face another publicity disaster after the US$100,000 Karma evaluated by Consumer Reports went kaput during speed testing. We'll remind you that Consumer Reports buys its test vehicles from regular dealers.

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Fisker Appoints Ex-Chrysler Executive Tom LaSorda as its New CEO

In a move that most likely has to do with the company's recent troubles including problems with the Karma's batteries and news that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) froze a $528 million federal loan, Fisker announced today that it has named former Chrysler Chief Executive Tom LaSorda as its new Chief Executive Officer.

In addition, Henrik Fisker, the company's co-founder and the original CEO, was appointed executive chairman.

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